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Grey County councillors flooded with hundreds of calls to save Grey Gables

“People in Grey County pay their fair share of taxes, and they deserve high-quality, public long-term care right in their communities.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President

Markdale, ON (28 June 2017) — Warren (Smokey) Thomas is urging Grey County councillors to listen to the huge number of their constituents demanding that they vote no to a scheme to privatize long-term care. Thomas is the President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) which represents the workers at Grey Gables.

Privatization leads to higher cost and lower quality

“People in Grey County pay their fair share of taxes, and they deserve high-quality, public long-term care right in their communities,” says Thomas. “Hundreds of people have been calling their councillors about this, and it’s time for councillors to listen.”

On Thursday, June 29, at 9 a.m., Grey County councillors are scheduled to vote on a proposal to sell off Grey Gables and build a new long-term care facility in Durham that will be privately managed.

“The evidence shows that privately run public services are higher cost and lower quality,” says Thomas. “It’s no surprise that Grey County councillors are being flooded with calls to reject this privatization scheme.”

Campaign launched to pressure city councillors to reject privatization

In collaboration with the We Own It campaign to protect public services, OPSEU/NUPGE helped facilitate a series of automated phone calls to Grey County residents earlier this month, giving them the chance to express their opinion to their municipal councillors.

Nearly 500 have already participated, connecting with and leaving messages for Grey County councillors such as Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus, Chatsworth Mayor Bob Pringle, and West Grey Deputy Mayor John Bell. Clips from some of those messages are airing now in ads on local radio.

Thomas is urging community members to keep up the pressure

"Call them up and tell them to keep long-term care public,” he says. “And if you can, go to that council meeting on Thursday morning in Owen Sound. That’s the best way to show your support for public services and save Grey Gables.”

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 370,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. ~ NUPGE